“Nikhil’s Law” to Emphasize Traffic Safety to Young Drivers Officially Becomes a Law

By JACKIE GOLDMAN-SCHATELL

August 6, 2015 at 10:23 PM

Content Options

11-year-old Nikhil Badlani was killed when a Toyota Prius failed to make a complete stop at Wyoming and Lenox Avenues on June 11, 2011.
Credits: Nikhil Badlani Foundation

RANDOLPH, NJ – A little more than four years after 11-year-old Nikhil Badlani of West Orange was killed in 2011 by a distracted driver who ran a stop sign, “Nikhil’s Law” was signed into law by Gov. Kim Guadagno on Aug. 4, in Randolph, NJ. The goal of the law is to hopefully prevent something similar from happening to someone else in the future.

“While no one gets behind the wheel and says, ‘I want to kill someone,” said Nikhil’s father, Sunil Badlani at the press conference, “the minute you drop your guard and drive distracted, a killer you become.”

“Like the Badlani family, I wish I didn’t need to be here today,” said Guadagno. “We all wish we could prevent every car accident, every serious injury, every fatality. We know that we can’t, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try. A moment of caution can make all the difference. This bill will send Nikhil’s message to not just our youngest drivers, but all of our drivers. And, hopefully, the Badlanis’ tragedy will help prevent other families from enduring such hardships.”

The law (A-1781), which was sponsored by Assembly Democrats John McKeon, Charles Mainor, Mila Jasey, Benjie Wimberly and Shavonda Sumter, and unanimously passed through the state Assembly and Senate, requires the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to expand the driver’s license examination to include a question asking applicants whether they are aware of the dangers of failing to follow the state’s motor vehicle traffic laws and whether know that they have the option to take the “STOP for Nikhil” safety pledge.

“For every young person, becoming a licensed driver is a major milestone that warrants celebration, but it also demands a greater sense of awareness of how one’s actions can affect others,” said Jasey (D-Essex/Morris). “This will remind new drivers that they have a duty to follow the rules of the road and exercise greater vigilance when they’re behind the wheel.”

“Having seen so much potential in so many young people as a teacher, a father and a football coach, knowing that Nikhil’s family and the West Orange community lost a child with great promise in this tragic way just breaks my heart,” said Wimberly (D-Bergen/Passaic). “For the safety of individual drivers as well as entire neighborhoods across New Jersey, it’s critical that we take the time to educate our youth on traffic safety.”

“This is a simple step we can take to emphasize to our young people that driving comes with responsibility,” said McKeon (D-Essex/Morris). “The more we can highlight that point, hopefully the more our young drivers will put safety first.”

“Driving is a big responsibility,” said Mainor (D-Hudson). “Emphasizing the need for safety is always a good thing.”

“For new and experienced drivers alike, operating a vehicle requires one’s undivided attention at all times, and it’s important that we make sure young people understand that as soon as they learn to drive,” said Sumter (D-Bergen/Passaic). “This will emphasize the need to be safe while on the road.”

Nikhil’s Law requires the MVC commissioner, in consultation with the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, to include information in the MVC driver’s manual explaining the dangers of failing to follow the state’s motor vehicle traffic laws. This information must provide interested drivers with instructions on how to take the “STOP for Nikhil” pledge. It also requires the commissioner to ensure that drivers have the option of taking the pledge by filling out a standard form made available at MVC offices or by following instructions on the appropriate website.

Aside from Randolph police and township council members, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and elected officials, AAA was also at the press conference to show their support for the bill. Following the event, the AAA sent out a press release that including AAA's remarks at the bill signing of Nikhil’s Law.

“There is nothing more important to AAA than roadway safety and preparing our drivers to be safe on the road,” said the press release.

Too often driving becomes a secondary activity—we are focused on a phone call, a text, planning what we are going to say at our meeting or worrying that we are late for our next appointment, according to AAA. “This bill serves to remind all drivers that when we are behind the wheel that should be our number one priority—getting from point A to B safely, not just for us but everyone we share the road with,” said AAA.

According to the AAA, in a two-year NHTSA study of the nearly 10,000 fatalities that occurred at traffic signals, 20 percent of vehicles had failed to obey the signal and 13 percent had failed to yield the right of way. Doing so not only puts the driver at risk but everyone else who relies on those signals to determine traffic patterns. This means that nearly one third of all fatalities at traffic signals could have been prevented if the driver had merely followed the STOP for Nikhil Safety Pledge”:

"I will come to a complete stop at every 'stop' sign or red traffic light, and will not proceed through a red traffic light.”

The AAA also said that a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that of the 700,000 crashes that occurred at stop signs over a four-year period, 70 percent of them were caused by stop sign violators. These violators were people who didn’t see a sign because they were in a hurry or distracted or who rolled through a stop because they knew that intersection. In addition, young drivers were disproportionately represented among those violators—which is why today’s law is so important, according to the AAA.

“Impressing that message onto young drivers when they learn will help build a lifetime of safe driving,” said AAA.

The AAA thanked the Governor, the Lt. Governor and Legislature for passing this bill, and the Badlani family for their “tireless advocacy.”

“They choose to use their voices in the hope that no one would have to suffer their same loss, said a representative for the AAA.”

“I’m sure Nikhil is smiling down right now and happy to see progress,” Sunil Badlani said. “But something tells me he’d rather be here witnessing this bill being signed.”

The pledge reads as follows:

“In order to ensure the safety of others on the road, passengers in my car, and myself as a driver, I pledge to obey traffic laws while operating a motor vehicle, be extra cautious, and be attentive to traffic signs and signals and road conditions. Specifically:

“I will come to a complete stop at every ‘stop’ sign or red traffic light, and will not proceed through a red traffic light;

“I will stay alert, keep two hands on the steering wheel whenever possible, and keep my mind on the road;

“I will talk safely by using a hands-free wireless telephone while driving if I am of lawful age to do so and refrain from texting while driving; and

“I will plan ahead and leave enough time to arrive at my destination.”

The Fifth Annual STOP For Nikhil Run/Walk is being held by the Nikhil Badlani Foundation, on Sept. 20, at West Orange High School to raise traffic safety awareness. To learn more, participate or donate, click HERE.

WARREN, NJ - History was made again on Saturday at Watchung Hills. Dan Pilsbury became the Watchung Hills boys basketball all time leading scorer in the Warriors’ victory over West Morris-Mendham, 64-53.

Pilsbury scored 25 points to total 1,157 career points, and counting, surpassing Steven Weidlich who has 1,138 ...

“The hardest day of my coaching career came when I had to tell my student athletes I resigned as head coach,” Seubert said on Friday night. “I wish nothing but the best to them and all student athletes and ...

SOMERVILLE, NJ - Students from more than 30 schools in Somerset County, including Warren, will compete in the 3rd annual Spelling Bee Spectacular sponsored by the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey.

Participation is limited to those students up to the eighth grade.

The contest, which is a preliminary to the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, will be held at the ...

OZONE PARK, N.Y. — Officials at the New York Racing Association and New York State Gaming Commission have placed Barn 10 at Belmont Park under quarantine after a suspected case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) developed in that barn. The quarantine is effective immediately.

The affected horse, a 4-year-old filly trained by Tom Albertrani, developed a fever on Feb. 12 and ...

BERNARDS TWP., NJ - Bernards Township Police announced late Thursday afternoon that the body of a 19-year-old township resident, Lydia Comtois, had been located in a wooded area of Liberty Corner following a search by personnel and volunteers from numerous public safety organizations.

A preliminary investigation indicated the young woman's death was not deemed to ...

WARREN, NJ - Much of the talk yesterday at various events around town was of the Super Bowl, the logistics of getting there, and the controversial ads. But not surprising given Warren's love of animals, it was also of the Puppy Bowl.

Who will win the LombarkyTrophy?

The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet that mimics a football bowl game similar to the Super ...

WARREN, NJ - In anticipation of inclement weather, the following senior centers operated by the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services will be closed Wednesday, Feb. 7: Hillsborough, Montgomery, Quail Brook, Warrenbrook and the Senior Wellness Centers in Bernards and Bridgewater.

EAST ORANGE, NJ - Julia Cunningham recorded a double-double for Watchung Hills with 21 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block to lead the Watchung Hills girls basketball team over East Orange on Monday, 44-40.

Jayden Baltuch finished with seven points, four assists and one rebound.

BERNARDS TWP., NJ - Bernards Township Police announced late Thursday afternoon that the body of a 19-year-old township resident, Lydia Comtois, had been located in a wooded area of Liberty Corner following a search by personnel and volunteers from numerous public safety organizations.

A preliminary investigation indicated the young woman's death was not deemed to ...

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Somerset County Business Partnership (SCBP) has selected Alina V. Klein, vice president and senior consultant for Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Bedminster as the 68th Somerset County Outstanding Citizen.

The Outstanding Citizen award recognizes a single person for their community and professional activities that have contributed to making Somerset County a special ...

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - The main level of SCLSNJ’s North Plainfield Memorial Library will be closed to patrons February 12 through March 3 for renovations. The lower level of the branch, also known as the children's area, will remain open to the public.

“This is the first phase in an effort to create a more welcome and modern library space for our patrons,” ...

SURF CITY, NJ - Need a job this summer? Look no further. Shore Fire Grille again has teamed up with local businesses in the area for a special summer 2018 Job Fair event.

The Third Annual LBI Job Fair will take place Saturday, March 31. Employers will be looking to hire help for the summer season on busy Long Beach Island. The event will be held at the Surf City Yacht ...

SURF CITY, NJ - Need a job this summer? Look no further. Shore Fire Grille again has teamed up with local businesses in the area for a special summer 2018 Job Fair event.

The Third Annual LBI Job Fair will take place Saturday, March 31. Employers will be looking to hire help for the summer season on busy Long Beach Island. The event will be held at the Surf City Yacht ...

WARREN, NJ - Much of the talk yesterday at various events around town was of the Super Bowl, the logistics of getting there, and the controversial ads. But not surprising given Warren's love of animals, it was also of the Puppy Bowl.

Who will win the LombarkyTrophy?

The Puppy Bowl is an annual television program on Animal Planet that mimics a football bowl game similar to the Super ...

For all the high school seniors and their parents, we are in the stressful "waiting period". We've just finished or are finishing applications to all the schools we might possibly want to attend next year and now sit and wait our fate after the $60-$80 non-refundable application fees to at least 8-13 schools and ...